Improvement in propulsion of canal-boats



PATRICK H.. FONTAINE.

Czwlvmprovement in Propulsion of lCanal` Bruits.` VNo. 119,923I

PatentedlOct.17,1871.

FFICE.

PATRICK HENRY FONTAINE, OF `REIDSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROPULSION OF CANAL-BOATS.

specificati@ forming part of Letters Patent No. 119,923, dated october 17, 1871.

Figure l is a view of one side of a canal-boat,

showing the improved propeller attached. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same. Fig. 3 is a section taken vertically and transversely through the boat. Fig. el is a perspective view, showing' the A manner of connecting the poles to the endless chain.

Similarletters of reference indicate correspond ing parts in the several gures.

The object of my invention is to propel canalboats by means of poles arranged to move the entire length of a boat and actuated by steam power, as will be hereinafter explained.

The following' description of my invention will enable others skilled in the art to understand it.

Into each side of the hull of the boat A an oblong recess, A', is made, which extends nearly the entire length ofthe boat. In this recess, and arranged at proper distances apart, are a number of grooved pulleys, b, the rearmost one of which is applied on a transverse shaft, D, which receives motion from an engine in the hold of the boat. The outer ends ofthe shafts of all the pulleys b have their bearings in a skeleton guard, B, which is composed of vertical and horizontal pieces c c', as shown in the drawing. Around the grooved pulleys b, on each side of the boat, is applied an endless chain, g, of "such form and construction that it will be driven by the pulley on the en gin e-shaft, which pulley may have spurs formed on its periphery to engage with the chainlinks. At suitable points on each chain poles C C are applied of such length that they will oper* ate on the bottom of the canal, as indicated in Fig. l. Each pole C is connected by a pivot to a block, i, that is linked to the chain, which block is of such width that the pole does not follow in the same plane with the chain, but is arranged outside of it so as to lie upon grooved pulleys b on the same shafts with the pulleys b during its forward strokes. The pulleys b are designed as supports for holding the poles out of the water during their forward strokes, and in order to allow each pole C to drop into the Water and assume a working position at the commencement of each backward stroke two of the outside pulleys b b are omitted.

It will be seen from the above description that I am enabled to operate the propelling-poles C C by steam power in substantially the same manner as such poles have hitherto been operated by manual power. The poles are successively carried forward over rollers to the bow of the boat, where theirv rear ends drop into the water and bear upon the bottom of the canal at an angle of forty-five degrees, more or less, when the power applied to them will move the boat along.

I am aware that it is not novel with me to propel a boat by means of poles actuated by steampower, wherein two poles were employed worked by cranks so as to receive pushing movements, nor do I claim under this petition the working of poles in pairs by means of cranks for propelling canal-boats, as this feature of improvement forms the subject of an application for Letters Patent filed by me in the United States Patent Ofce on the 19th day of July, 1871.

If desirable, two chains on each side of the boat, with the poles held between them, might be used instead of a single chain on each side of the boat, as above described. The rollers at the furthest end of the series on which the poles are successively drawn up out of the water should be smaller than the other rollers, so that the poles will be drawn up out of the mud before their points rise. Instead of having the poles arranged on the sides of the boat, as described, they may be arranged in the center of the boat. I prefer, hower, the former method.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

The off-set blocks t' on chain g, in combination with the pivoted poles C and supports b', substantially as described.

Witness my hand in matter of my application for a patent for improved mode of propelling canal-boats.

PATRICK HENRY FONTAINE.

Witnesses:

Trios. J. SLoAN,

WM. S. BALL. (139) 

